License to Work: A National Study of Burdens from Occupational Licensing

Animal Control Officer

Highlights

Definition

Animal control officers handle animals for the purpose of investigations of mistreatment or control abandoned, dangerous or unattended animals.

Summary

Seventeen states require a license to work as an animal control officer. On average, these laws require four days of education and training, $116 in fees and one written exam -- the 88th most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied. However, because animal control officers are licensed in more than a dozen states, it ranks as the 58th most widely and onerously licensed occupation.

Nine states require two to 23 days of education or training, while the other states all require an exam. The fees associated with receiving a license can vary from $749 in New Jersey to nothing in six of the states that license the occupation.